This article talks about the experiences and struggles of a first year teaching. This article stresses the fact that although we as teachers will npossess nearly two degrees and certificates, that we are still not even prepared for the things that we will face once we start teaching. "Don't get Left Behind" tells a story about a first year teacher and one of her students, Noah. Noah was a sixth grade student who had an IEP stating that he was barely reading at a first grade level. The teacher mentions having a very good relationship with the student and was happy about Noah's success throughout the year until one day he came into her classroom crying and said, "Why can't I read?" The teacher was completely heartbroken to hear these words come out of her student's mouth. Although she had her two degrees and certificates, she was not mentally prepared for what she had felt when Noah had said this to her. This made the teacher realize she had to go out of her way to get this student the help that he wanted and needed even if it required to turn to other colleagues. Aside from this article telling the story of the teacher and Noah, it gave first year teachers some advice on ways to help succeed. The main points in this article discussed the importance for developing a strong literary base for the students, creating positive classroom environments, participate in university-school partnerships, using technology in lessons, and expanding knowledge of inclusive classrooms.
After reading this article, it has made me aware of issues that I will be faced with during my teaching experience. During the education coursework portion of the secondary education degree, we primarily focus on content and tend to overlook ways of preparing ourselves to deal with situations like Noah's. This article hit home to me because I have always found myself struggling with reading. When things that I am reading start to go beyond my knowledge I often give up and become extremely frustrated. There have been many times during my years as a student where I had wished I had more of a positive learning environment in my classes and had wished I had felt more comfortable with my teachers to ask for help for reading strategies. Although I am pursuing a science education degree, I will be sure to go over reading strategies with my students so that they do not get caught up in the difficult scientific journals or other material that I cover. This article has also opened my eyes to teaching in the 21st century and the need for technology in the classrooms. I often struggle using technology, but this article mentions that the are many profession development opportunities that I can be a part of to help me with technology in the classroom. "Don't Get Left Behind", is a great article and all first year teachers should read it.
Chorzempa, B. (n.d.). Don't Get Left Behind. Kappa Delta Pi Record. Retrieved October 5, 2011, from www.kdp.org/publications/pdf/record/winter11/RW11_Chorzempa.pdf
This article talks about the experiences and struggles of a first year teaching. This article stresses the fact that although we as teachers will npossess nearly two degrees and certificates, that we are still not even prepared for the things that we will face once we start teaching. "Don't get Left Behind" tells a story about a first year teacher and one of her students, Noah. Noah was a sixth grade student who had an IEP stating that he was barely reading at a first grade level. The teacher mentions having a very good relationship with the student and was happy about Noah's success throughout the year until one day he came into her classroom crying and said, "Why can't I read?" The teacher was completely heartbroken to hear these words come out of her student's mouth. Although she had her two degrees and certificates, she was not mentally prepared for what she had felt when Noah had said this to her. This made the teacher realize she had to go out of her way to get this student the help that he wanted and needed even if it required to turn to other colleagues. Aside from this article telling the story of the teacher and Noah, it gave first year teachers some advice on ways to help succeed. The main points in this article discussed the importance for developing a strong literary base for the students, creating positive classroom environments, participate in university-school partnerships, using technology in lessons, and expanding knowledge of inclusive classrooms.
After reading this article, it has made me aware of issues that I will be faced with during my teaching experience. During the education coursework portion of the secondary education degree, we primarily focus on content and tend to overlook ways of preparing ourselves to deal with situations like Noah's. This article hit home to me because I have always found myself struggling with reading. When things that I am reading start to go beyond my knowledge I often give up and become extremely frustrated. There have been many times during my years as a student where I had wished I had more of a positive learning environment in my classes and had wished I had felt more comfortable with my teachers to ask for help for reading strategies. Although I am pursuing a science education degree, I will be sure to go over reading strategies with my students so that they do not get caught up in the difficult scientific journals or other material that I cover. This article has also opened my eyes to teaching in the 21st century and the need for technology in the classrooms. I often struggle using technology, but this article mentions that the are many profession development opportunities that I can be a part of to help me with technology in the classroom. "Don't Get Left Behind", is a great article and all first year teachers should read it.
Don't Get Left Behind
Chorzempa, B. (n.d.). Don't Get Left Behind. Kappa Delta Pi Record. Retrieved October 5, 2011, from www.kdp.org/publications/pdf/record/winter11/RW11_Chorzempa.pdf